US Government may recall hoverboards due to safety risks

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NEW YORK — Hoverboard makers could get hit with recalls if they don’t get their acts together.

That’s the message that the Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to convey in a letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers released Friday.

The letter warned that if safety standards aren’t met, the agency will issue recalls.

Agency Chairman Elliot Kaye has said publicly that unsafe hoverboards should be taken off the market.

The CPSC has not yet issued any recalls of the self-balancing scooters, despite reports that some models are prone to catching fire and exploding.

The agency is investigating the scooters and Kaye said falls also present a major risk.

In the letter, the agency also said it would seize any imported products it considers hazardous.

Hoverboards have already been banned by major airlines such as Delta, United, JetBlue and American.

In January, Amazon removed several hoverboards from its site and began offering full refunds on those it had already sold. Additionally, online retailer Overstock.com announced in December that it would immediately stop selling hoverboards on its website.

Police in London and New York City don’t permit the use of these scooters on public streets and sidewalks. New York state has now banned them altogether.